Collapsible Stool

ABSTRACT

A collapsible stool with foldable legs as well as a foldable seat is disclosed herein. The stool collapses to greatly reduce its size thereby enabling it to fit within many common carrying articles, such as purses. The legs and support members fold flat against the seat of the stool, which itself is in two pieces and folds in half.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/589,874 filed on Aug. 20, 2012, which in turn claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/525,916 filed onAug. 22, 2011, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was not federally sponsored.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the general field of stools, and morespecifically toward a collapsible stool with foldable legs as well as afoldable seat. The stool collapses to greatly reduce its size therebyenabling it to fit within many common carrying articles, such as purses.

Stools have been around for thousands of years. They are a convenientplace to sit as well as a handy tool when trying to obtain objectsnormally out of one's reach. Stools come in various sizes, from just afew inches high to many feet high, depending upon the stool's intendeduse. Some stools are intended more for sitting, while others areintended more for standing upon. In fact, the size of the user can alsodetermine the best use of a particularly sized stool. For example, asmaller user, such as a child, may have an easier time sitting on ashort stool, while a taller user, such as an adult, would find ituncomfortable to sit on the same stool. Likewise, a tall user may findit easy to sit on a tall stool, while a smaller user would have to climbup to sit on that same stool.

Many different materials are used to manufacture stools. Plastic, wood,and metal are the most common materials used for manufacturing stoolsknown to the inventor, though other materials may be used. The seat ofthe stool often includes a cushion to make sitting on a stool morecomfortable, when the stool is intended to be a seat. However, if one ofthe intended uses of the stool is to be stepped on, then it ispreferable that the seat has a hard, non-cushioned surface as a stablestepping platform.

The prior art does have examples of stools that collapse. These stoolsoften reduce the footprint of the stool (the width or depth of thestool) while increasing the height of the stool. This allows for moreconvenient storage within a house, but fails to reduce the height of thestool, making it impracticable to carry on a person, such as in a purse.

Carrying a stool can have significant benefits to parents. Childrenoften have a difficult time reaching sinks, toilets, counters, and othercommon public areas because of their shorter size. Having a readilyavailable stool would enable them to access these items without havingto be held or relying on otherwise unstable platforms. Furthermore,adults themselves may benefit from having a readily available stool. Thestool could be used to sit down when waiting in long lines. It couldalso be used as a lap tray, computer stand, desk, or footrest when suchan article is otherwise unavailable.

Thus there has existed a long-felt need for a stool that easilycollapses down such that the height and width of the stool are less thanbefore, and the depth of the stool does not increase.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The current invention provides just such a solution by having acollapsible stool with foldable legs as well as a foldable seat. Thestool collapses to greatly reduce its size thereby enabling it to fitwithin many common carrying articles, such as purses.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide a stool that easilycollapses.

It is another object of the invention to provide a stool that provides asufficiently high surface for a small person, such as a child, to gainaccess to objects otherwise out of reach.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a usable stool thatalso collapses to a size small enough to fit into a purse, handbag, orsimilarly sized article.

In a particular embodiment, the current invention is a collapsible stoolcomprising two seats, two legs, and two support members, where one seatis secured to the other seat by two seat hinges, where each seat hingerotates about the same axis, where each seat has one of the two legssecured thereto, where each leg is secured to the seat by a leg hinge,where the leg hinge rotates about an axis that is parallel to the axisof rotation of the seat hinges; where the leg hinge is located on anopposite end of the seat from the seat hinge, where each seat has one ofthe two support members secured thereto, where each support member issecured to the seat by a support member hinge, where the support memberhinge rotates about an axis that is perpendicular to the axis ofrotation of the leg hinge, where each support member can rotate up toninety degrees, where one support member cannot rotate passed the other,where one of the two support members comprises a spring and a latch,where the spring and latch are used to create a spring mounted latch,where the spring mounted latch can prevent the two support members fromrotating away from each other, where the latch slides along an axis thatis parallel to the axis of rotation of the support member hinge.

In another embodiment, the current invention is a collapsible stoolcomprising two seats, two legs, and two support members, where one seatis secured to the other seat by two seat hinges, where each seat hingerotates about the same axis, where each seat has one of the two legssecured thereto, where each leg is secured to the seat by a leg hinge,where each seat has one of the two support members secured thereto,where each support member is secured to the seat by a support memberhinge, where the support member hinge rotates about an axis that isperpendicular to the axis of rotation of the leg hinge.

In yet another embodiment, the current invention is a method of using astool comprising the steps of: obtaining a stool, where the stoolcomprises two seats, two legs, and two support members, where one seatis secured to the other seat by two seat hinges, where each seat hingerotates about the same axis, where each seat has one of the two legssecured thereto, where each leg is secured to the seat by a leg hinge,where each seat has one of the two support members secured thereto,where each support member is secured to the seat by a support memberhinge, where the support member hinge rotates about an axis that isperpendicular to the axis of rotation of the leg hinge; rotating the twoseats about the seat hinges such that the two seats are substantiallycoplanar; rotating each leg about the leg hinges such that the legs aresubstantially perpendicular to the seats; rotating each support memberabout the support member hinges such that the support members aresubstantially perpendicular to both the legs and the seats.

An additional embodiment of the current invention is a collapsible stoolcomprising two seats, two outer legs, an inner leg, and two supportmembers, where each seat is secured to the inner leg by two seat hinges,where the two seat hinges have parallel rotational axes; where each seathas one of the two legs outer legs secured thereto, where each outer legis secured to the seat by a leg hinge, where the leg hinge rotates aboutan axis that is parallel to the axis of rotation of the seat hinges,where the leg hinge is located on an opposite end of the seat from theseat hinge; where each seat has one of the two support members securedthereto, where each support member is secured to the seat by a supportmember hinge, where the support member hinge rotates about an axis thatis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the leg hinge; where eachsupport member comprises a latch, where each latch restrict therotational movement of its respective support member when engaged. Eachlatch slides along an axis that is parallel to the axis of rotation ofthe support member hinge of its respective support member. The inner leghas a top surface, where the top surface of the inner leg is flush witha face of each seat when the collapsible stool is in an expandedconfiguration. The latch of each support member engages the inner leg.Each seat comprises a pattern and a logo. The latch of each supportmember comprises a spring.

A further embodiment of the current invention provides for a collapsiblestool comprising two seats, two outer legs, an inner leg and two supportmembers, where each seat is secured to the inner leg by two seat hinges,where each seat hinge has an axis of rotation; where each seat has oneof the two outer legs secured thereto, where each outer leg is securedto the seat by a leg hinge, where the leg hinge has an axis of rotation;where each seat has one of the two support members secured thereto,where each support member is secured to the seat by a support memberhinge, where the support member hinge rotates about an axis that isperpendicular to the axis of rotation of the leg hinge; and where eachsupport member comprises a latch, where each latch restricts therotational movement of its respective support member when the latch isengaged. The collapsible stool according to claim 7, where the latchslides along an axis that is parallel to the axis of rotation of thesupport member hinge. Each leg hinge rotates about an axis that isparallel to the axis of rotation of one of the seat hinges; where eachleg hinge is located on an opposite end of the corresponding seat fromthe seat hinge. The two seat hinges have parallel rotational axes. Thelatch of each support member engages the inner leg. The inner leg has atop surface, where the top surface of the inner leg is flush with a faceof each seat when the collapsible stool is in an expanded configuration.The latch of each support member comprises a spring. Each seat comprisesa pattern and a logo. The axis of rotation of each seat hinge isperpendicular to the axis of rotation of each leg hinge and the axis ofrotation of each support member hinge.

Another embodiment of the current invention is a method of using a stoolcomprising the steps of: obtaining a stool, where the stool comprisestwo seats, two outer legs, an inner leg and two support members, whereeach seat is secured to the inner leg by a seat hinge, where each seathinge rotates about the same axis, where each seat has one of the twoouter legs secured thereto, where each outer leg is secured to the seatby a leg hinge, where each seat has one of the two support memberssecured thereto, where each support member is secured to the seat by asupport member hinge, where the support member hinge rotates about anaxis that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the leg hinge;rotating the two seats about the seat hinges such that the two seats aresubstantially coplanar and perpendicular to the inner leg; rotating eachouter leg about the leg hinges such that the legs are substantiallyperpendicular to the seats; rotating each support member about thesupport member hinges such that the support members are substantiallyperpendicular to both the outer legs and the seats. Each support membercomprises a latch, where each latch is releasable and restricts therotational movement of its respective support member. The latch slidesalong an axis that is parallel to the axis of rotation of the supportmember hinge. The method further comprises the step of sliding thelatch. The method further comprises the steps of: rotating each supportmember about the support member hinges such that the support members arein a substantially parallel plane to the seats; rotating each outer legabout the leg hinges such that the legs are in a substantially parallelplane to the seats; rotating the two seats about the seat hinges suchthat the two seats are in substantially parallel planes.

As used herein, the term “substantially” means a majority of, forexample, “substantially parallel” would mean that the axes or plans havea relative angle to each other of less than 45 degrees.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” shouldbe read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or“an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or thelike; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,”“standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construedas limiting the item described to a given time period or to an itemavailable as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompassconventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may beavailable or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, wherethis document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known toone of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass thoseapparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in thefuture.

The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “atleast,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instancesshall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or requiredin instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. Additionally,the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms ofexemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As willbecome apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading thisdocument, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives canbe implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. Forexample, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not beconstrued as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofmay be better understood, and in order that the present contribution tothe art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of theinvention that will be described hereinafter and which will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto. The features listed hereinand other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention willbecome better understood with reference to the following description andappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthis specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and togetherwith the description, serve to explain the principles of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a stool according to selectedembodiments of the current disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a partially collapsed stoolaccording to selected embodiments of the current disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a fully collapsed stool according to selectedembodiments of the current disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a stool according to selected embodiments ofthe current disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a stool according to selected embodiments ofthe current disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a stool according to selected embodiments ofthe current disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a stool according to selected embodiments of thecurrent disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a collapsed stool with three legs according toselected embodiments of the current disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a stool with three legs according to selectedembodiments of the current disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a partially collapsed stool with three legsaccording to selected embodiments of the current disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of a stool with three legsaccording to selected embodiments of the current disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with thereferences made to the drawings below. The components in the drawingsare not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed uponclearly illustrating the components of the present invention. Moreover,like reference numerals designate corresponding parts through theseveral views in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a stool according to selectedembodiments of the current disclosure. The stool 10 includes two seats13 that are connected to each other by a seat hinge 20. The seat hinge20 includes two hinge members 31 that enable the seats 13 to rotatetowards and away from each other. Each seat 13 has a leg 11 attachedthereto by means of a leg hinge 21. The leg 11 rotates about the leghinge 21 towards the seat 13 when in a collapsed configuration, and awayfrom the seat to a perpendicular orientation when in use. The stool 10also includes two support members 12. These support members 12 rotateabout support member hinges 22 that enable each support member 12 torotate towards and away from the seat 13.

The stool 10 in FIG. 1 is configured for use. The legs 11 aresubstantially perpendicular to the seat, as are the support members 12,and the legs 11 are prevented from rotating towards the seats by thesupport members 12. In fact, when in use, the legs are perpendicular toboth the support members 12 and the seats 13. To collapse the stool 10,the support members 12 are released by sliding a latch 17 (discussed inmore detail below) and are rotated about the support member hinges 22towards the seats 13. A user may grasp depressions 26 in the supportmember 12 to rotate them towards the seat 13. The ends of the supportmember 12 that are closest to the seat hinge 20 fold into cutouts 32 inthe hinge members 31. In this fashion, each support member 12 folds inan opposite direction. After the support members 12 are laid flat(parallel) to the seats 13, the legs 11 may fold towards the seat 13about the leg hinges 21. Finally, the two seats 13 are rotated about theseat hinges 20 from being coplanar to residing adjacent to each other inparallel planes. Configuring the stool for use from a collapsedconfiguration follows the same steps as above, but in reverse.

The seats 13 are rotated about the seat hinge 20 until they aresubstantially coplanar. The legs 11 are unfolded away from the seats 13and then the support members 12 are folded away from the seats 13 andlocked into place. The ends of the support members meet at a supportmember meeting point 25. In a particular embodiment, each end of thesupport member is “L” shaped, whereby the two ends of the supportmembers 12 mate together. In an alternative embodiment, each end of thesupport member has a diagonally angled end. A receiver tab 23 in eachleg 11 is used to removably lock its corresponding support members 12.In an alternative embodiment, the receiver tab is not incorporated intothe design; rather, the support members are restrained simply using thelatch described in more detail below. Since each leg folds flat againstits corresponding seat part, the height and width of each leg should beless than the length and width of each seat portion.

Each seat hinge 20 may include a metal shaft (not shown) about which thehinge members 31 of each seat rotate. While the metal shaft ispreferably made from a metallic material such as steel or aluminum, thehinge members are preferably made from the same material as the rest ofthe seat 13, such that it may be molded as one continuous piece. Eachseat hinge rotates about the same axis, and would be one continues hingeif the two hinges were not separated in the middle. As used herein, thedescription of a hinge rotating about a particular axis is equivalent tosaying that each member secured to the hinge rotates about thatparticular axis.

The support members 12 may each rotate to one side only, where each ofthe two support members rotate to an opposite side. As shown in thedrawings, the meeting point 25 allows each member to rotate toward theother when unfolding the stool for use, but each support member 12cannot rotate past the other. In this manner, each support member onlyrotates a maximum of ninety degrees. One of the two support members 12is provided with a spring-mounted latch that includes a spring 16 and alatch 17. The latch 17 acts to prevent the opposing support member 12from rotating away from the first support member 12. However, a user mayslide the latch 17 against the force of the spring 16 to allow theopposing support member 12 to rotate away from the first support member12 to collapse the stool 10 as described above. In an alternativeembodiment, both support members include such a spring-mounted latch,whereby a user must slide both latches to release the support membersfrom each other.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a partially collapsed stoolaccording to selected embodiments of the current disclosure. The legs 11are shown collapsed, whereby they have been folded towards the seats 13around leg hinges 21.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a fully collapsed stool according to selectedembodiments of the current disclosure. The seats 13 are folded togetherabout seat hinge 20. As shown in this figure, the seat 13 includespatterns 40 and a logo 41. The pattern 40 is used to create a texturedsurface on the seat, which provides a sufficiently frictional surfacefor standing and/or sitting. The logo 41 may also aid in providing atextured surface, but may also including distinguishing marks or otherinformation. While a user may push the two seats together to completethe collapse of the stool, grasping cutouts 27 may be used to aid theuser in pulling apart the seats when unfolding the stool.

The stool 10 may also include a means of securing to the two seats 13together when in a folded positions, such as that shown in FIG. 3. Forexample, mating snaps may be used such that when the two seats 13 arepushed together, the snaps bias the seats 13 to remain in a collapsedconfiguration. At the same time, the user may use the grasping cutouts27 to pull the two seats 13 apart and overcome the biasing forcesprovided by the snaps.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the fully collapsed stool is greatly reducedin size. Its height has been greatly decreased, as the legs and supportmembers are collapsed such that the seats, legs, and support members aresubstantially coplanar. Furthermore, the width of the stool is also cutin half, since the seats 13 fold about the seat hinge to mate with oneanother.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a stool according to selected embodiments ofthe current disclosure. The legs 11 are extended and provide support tothe seats 13.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a stool according to selected embodiments ofthe current disclosure. The support members 12 are unfolded and meeteach other at the support member meeting point 25. Latch 17 preventssupport members 12 from rotating away from each other. However, a usermay slide latch 17 on an axis that is parallel to the length of thesupport member 12 to which it is affixed to release the opposing supportmember thereby allowing each support member to rotate away from theother.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a stool according to selected embodiments ofthe current disclosure. The stool 10 is configured for use, with thelegs 11 and support members 12 extended. As a force is applied to theseats 13 (such as when standing or sitting upon the stool 10), theseforces are transferred to the support members 12 and to the legs 11,whereby the legs provide the vertical support for the stool 10.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a stool according to selected embodiments of thecurrent disclosure. The pattern 40 preferably extends across themajority of the top surface of the seats 13. The logos 41 are alsopreferably rotated 180° from the other, whereby one of the logos 41 isoriented in a proper reading direction when viewed by a user from eitherside of the stool 10. Alternatively, the logos 41 may be oriented in thesame direction, whereby there is a clearer front and back to the stool10.

A honeycomb structure may be used in the various components of thestool. The honeycomb structure provides sufficient structural integrityto components such as the legs and support members while at the sametime reducing the amount of material required and overall weight of thestool. This is particularly useful when the components are made ofplastic, as the molds used to create the parts may incorporate such adesign at relatively little additional cost. Furthermore, non-skid padsmay be incorporated into the bottom of the legs. These non-skid pads arepreferably made from rubber or some other material with a highcoefficient of friction thereby providing a more stable platform fromwhich a person may step or sit.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a collapsed stool with three legs according toselected embodiments of the current disclosure. The stool includes twoseats 68 that are each connected to an inner leg 62 by seat hinges 63.When in a collapsed configuration, the seats 68 cover both faces of theinner leg 62, leaving the top surface 67 of the inner leg 62 exposedbetween the two seat hinges 63. Portions of the sides of the inner leg62 are also left exposed between the two seats 68.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a stool with three legs according to selectedembodiments of the current disclosure. The stool in this figure is shownin an expanded configuration and is ready for use, specifically readyfor an individual to step on the stool and have the stool support theweight of the individual. The two seats 68 are each connected by a seathinge 63 to the inner leg 62. The two seat hinges 63 enable the seats 68to rotate relative to the inner leg 62. Each seat 68 is also secured toan outer leg 61 by a leg hinge (not shown in this figure). The outer leg61 is connected to the seat on an end that is opposite from where theseat 68 is secured to the inner leg 62. When in the expandedconfiguration, the outer legs 61 and inner leg 62 are parallel. The topsurface 67 of leg 62 is adjacent to and flush with the faces of eachseat 68 thereby forming a flat and even surface on the top of the stool.Each seat 68 has a support member 64 secured thereto, which rotatestoward and away from the seat 68 about a hinge (not shown in thisfigure). When the stool is in the expanded configuration, the supportmembers 64 prevent the outer legs 61 from rotating towards the seat 68.Further, in this expanded configuration, the support members 64 areperpendicular to the outer legs 61 and the seats 68. Each support member64 includes a latch 65 that is releasable and able to engage with innerleg 62. The latch 65 locks the support members 64 in place in theexpanded configuration such that the support members 64 cannot rotatetowards their respectively connected seats 68. By disengaging the latch65 from inner leg 62, the support member 64 can be rotated toward itsrespectively connected seat 68. As discussed above, the latch 65 can bea spring-mounted latch, whereby a user disengages the latch 65 byapplying a force that overcomes the spring force to retract the latch65.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a partially collapsed stool with three legsaccording to selected embodiments of the current disclosure. Each seat68 is shown perpendicular to the inner leg 62. The outer legs 61 arefolded about leg hinges 66 towards and parallel to seats 68. Also foldedtowards and parallel with the seat 68 are support members 64, withlatches 65 disengaged from inner seat 62. Each support member 64, whenin a collapsed configuration, is between seat 68 and outer leg 61. Thestool is now ready to be fully collapsed, whereby a user can rotateseats 68 about seat hinges 63 to collapse the seats towards inner leg62.

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of a stool with three legsaccording to selected embodiments of the current disclosure. In thisexpanded configuration, the two outer legs 61 and the inner leg 62 areparallel to each other, and perpendicular to the seats 68. Outer legs 61are secured to their respective seats 68 by leg hinges 66. Inner leg 62is secured to each of the seats 68 by seat hinges 63. Support members64, which are perpendicular to both the legs and the seats, restrict therotational movement of the outer legs 61 relative to the seats 68.Latches 65, when engaged with inner leg 62, restrict the rotationalmovement of support members 64 to lock the support members in place inthe expanded configuration such that the support members 64 cannotrotate towards their respectively connected seats 68.

To collapse a stool from an expanded configuration, a user can disengagelatch 65 from inner leg 62, and rotate support member 64 towards seat68, and then repeat this process for the other support member 64 on theother side of the stool. Then, each outer leg 61 is rotated towards itsrespectively attached seat 68 about leg hinge 66. Finally, each seat 68is rotated about seat hinge 63 towards inner leg 62, thereby fullycollapsing the stool. Latches, clips, hook and loop fasteners, magnetsand other types of restraints and/or fasteners can be used to keep thestool in a collapsed configuration.

To expand the stool from a collapsed configuration, a user rotates seats68 away from inner leg 62 about seat hinge 63. Outer legs 61 are thenrotated about leg hinges 66 away from their respectively attached seats68. Support members 64 are rotated away from seats 68. Latches 65 of thesupport members 64 engage inner leg 62 to restrict rotational movementof the seat hinges 64. The stool is now in an expanded configuration,whereby outer legs 61 and inner leg 62 are perpendicular to both supportmembers 64 and seats 68.

It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments of theinvention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure ismade by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto arepossible without departing from the subject matter coming within thescope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof,which claims I regard as my invention.

That which is claimed:
 1. A collapsible stool comprising two seats, twoouter legs, an inner leg, and two support members, where each seat issecured to the inner leg by two seat hinges, where the two seat hingeshave parallel rotational axes; where each seat has one of the two legsouter legs secured thereto, where each outer leg is secured to the seatby a leg hinge, where the leg hinge rotates about an axis that isparallel to the axis of rotation of the seat hinges, where the leg hingeis located on an opposite end of the seat from the seat hinge; whereeach seat has one of the two support members secured thereto, where eachsupport member is secured to the seat by a support member hinge, wherethe support member hinge rotates about an axis that is perpendicular tothe axis of rotation of the leg hinge; where each support membercomprises a latch, where each latch restrict the rotational movement ofits respective support member when engaged.
 2. The collapsible stool ofclaim 1, where each latch slides along an axis that is parallel to theaxis of rotation of the support member hinge of its respective supportmember.
 3. The collapsible stool of claim 1, where the inner leg has atop surface, where the top surface of the inner leg is flush with a faceof each seat when the collapsible stool is in an expanded configuration.4. The collapsible stool of claim 1, wherein the latch of each supportmember engages the inner leg.
 5. The collapsible stool of claim 1,wherein each seat comprises a pattern and a logo.
 6. The collapsiblestool of claim 1, wherein the latch of each support member comprises aspring.
 7. A collapsible stool comprising two seats, two outer legs, aninner leg and two support members, where each seat is secured to theinner leg by two seat hinges, where each seat hinge has an axis ofrotation; where each seat has one of the two outer legs secured thereto,where each outer leg is secured to the seat by a leg hinge, where theleg hinge has an axis of rotation; where each seat has one of the twosupport members secured thereto, where each support member is secured tothe seat by a support member hinge, where the support member hingerotates about an axis that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation ofthe leg hinge; and where each support member comprises a latch, whereeach latch restricts the rotational movement of its respective supportmember when the latch is engaged.
 8. The collapsible stool according toclaim 7, where the latch slides along an axis that is parallel to theaxis of rotation of the support member hinge.
 9. The collapsible stoolaccording to claim 7, where each leg hinge rotates about an axis that isparallel to the axis of rotation of one of the seat hinges; where eachleg hinge is located on an opposite end of the corresponding seat fromthe seat hinge.
 10. The collapsible stool according to claim 7, wherethe two seat hinges have parallel rotational axes.
 11. The collapsiblestool of claim 7, wherein the latch of each support member engages theinner leg.
 12. The collapsible stool of claim 7, where the inner leg hasa top surface, where the top surface of the inner leg is flush with aface of each seat when the collapsible stool is in an expandedconfiguration.
 13. The collapsible stool of claim 7, wherein the latchof each support member comprises a spring.
 14. The collapsible stool ofclaim 7, wherein each seat comprises a pattern and a logo.
 15. Thecollapsible stool of claim 7, wherein the axis of rotation of each seathinge is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of each leg hinge and theaxis of rotation of each support member hinge.
 16. A method of using astool comprising the steps of: obtaining a stool, where the stoolcomprises two seats, two outer legs, an inner leg and two supportmembers, where each seat is secured to the inner leg by a seat hinge,where each seat hinge rotates about the same axis, where each seat hasone of the two outer legs secured thereto, where each outer leg issecured to the seat by a leg hinge, where each seat has one of the twosupport members secured thereto, where each support member is secured tothe seat by a support member hinge, where the support member hingerotates about an axis that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation ofthe leg hinge; rotating the two seats about the seat hinges such thatthe two seats are substantially coplanar and perpendicular to the innerleg; rotating each outer leg about the leg hinges such that the legs aresubstantially perpendicular to the seats; rotating each support memberabout the support member hinges such that the support members aresubstantially perpendicular to both the outer legs and the seats. 17.The method of claim 16, where each support member comprises a latch,where each latch is releasable and restricts the rotational movement ofits respective support member.
 18. The method of claim 16, where thelatch slides along an axis that is parallel to the axis of rotation ofthe support member hinge.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprisingthe step of sliding the latch.
 20. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising the steps of: rotating each support member about the supportmember hinges such that the support members are in a substantiallyparallel plane to the seats; rotating each outer leg about the leghinges such that the legs are in a substantially parallel plane to theseats; rotating the two seats about the seat hinges such that the twoseats are in substantially parallel planes.